Open Debate of the Security Council on “Conflict prevention”

STATEMENT BY Peter van der Vliet, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, in the Open Debate of the Security Council on “Conflict prevention”.

Thank you Mr. President

The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the
European Union and its Member States.

The Netherlands thanks the UK for organizing this important debate. We also
appreciate the briefings by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for
Human Rights. We welcome and support the resolution adopted today.

The primary responsibility to prevent conflicts and to protect its civilians
lies with the State. At the same time, the responsibility to prevent conflicts
is ultimately a shared responsibility of the international community. The United
Nations was founded for this purpose, and is well placed to play a leading role
in this regard. A UN system-wide approach to conflict prevention is required.
Peace, the protection of human rights, justice and development need to be
pursued in a comprehensive way.

I would like to focus here on three elements: the preventive toolbox of the
Security Council, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the protection of
human rights.

The Preventive Toolbox

The UN, in various past efforts, has through a combination of analysis, early
warning, rapid response and partnerships, been able to help defuse tensions in
crises and assist parties in resolving disputes peacefully. We commend the work
of DPA in this regard, and would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our
continued support to DPA’s work.

In order to be successful in preventive action, there is a need also for the
Security Council to respond quicker and more decisively to emerging threats to
the peace. In this regard, we would welcome the so-called horizon scannings or
general briefings on emerging conflicts or possible volatile situations by the
Secretary-General as a more regular and permanent feature on the Council’s
agenda.

Chapter VI of the UN Charter provides a clear mandate to investigate any
situation that might endanger the maintenance of international peace and
security and offers a range of tools to settle disputes peacefully before they
escalate. It is important that this Council make full use of these tools,
including the serious consideration of the idea of preventive missions.

Peacekeeping missions also have an important peacebuilding component that
focuses on stabilisation and preventing the emergence of new conflict. The
Netherlands commends the Rule of Law aspects in the context of such missions,
including capacity building efforts and human rights protection, mass atrocities
prevention, accountability mechanisms and the principle of Responsibility to
Protect. All of this helps to prevent further escalation of conflict. In this
regard, we welcome the Secretary-General’s commitment to a review of UN
peacekeeping, and recommend this aspect receive ample attention.

The Netherlands reiterates the crucial role of women in the prevention and
resolution of conflicts. In this regard, we would like to commend the efforts of
the UK to increase the participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions
through the creation and support of a Senior Women Talent Pipeline.

Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is deeply committed to the peaceful settlement
of disputes and proud host to i.a. the International Court of Justice and the
Permanent Court of Arbitration. We strongly encourage the Council to take
measures to expand the use of peaceful settlement of disputes, both in relation
to state and non-state actors.

Under the combined articles 34 and 36 of the UN Charter, the Council can
recommend that parties settle their dispute peacefully, through the various
means of dispute resolution. The Council can also suggest the specific form it
deems most suitable for the occasion and request to be briefed about the
results. In case of established jurisdiction of the Court, the Council can also
strongly urge the parties to take their dispute to the International Court of
Justice. Furthermore, the Council could encourage parties to come to an
agreement to accept the Court’s jurisdiction for their particular dispute when
this is not yet established.

In this context, we particularly welcome the recent visit of the Security
Council to The Hague and its historic meeting with the International Court of
Justice. We are confident that this visit has contributed to increased mutual
understanding and future cooperation between these two principal organs of the
UN.

Human Rights

One of the most essential factors in preventing conflict and avoiding
tensions within societies is ensuring and protecting basic human rights of all
parts of the population, providing redress for grievances and ensuring
accountability for mass atrocities.

In this regard, the Netherlands would like to take this opportunity to
commend the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We
especially want to honor the High Commissioner, Ms. Navi Pillay, for the way in
which she has fulfilled her important mandate over the past years.

Ms. Pillay, has been a cornerstone of the UN’s efforts in addressing human
rights issues worldwide. Her tireless dedication, her clear and insightful
viewpoints, and especially, her courage to say what is needed when it is needed,
have been an example to us all.